The death of a loved one, whether at home or in hospital, is a challenging time for families, and so handling the practicalities of managing the body of the deceased in an efficient and dignified manner is one of the core responsibilities of medical and coronary staff. One such practical aspect is choosing the right sized body bag for the deceased so that the appropriate solution is always on hand when required. This article provides guidance on how to select the appropriate body bag sizes, with a focus on child body bags, hospital body bags, and other considerations.
Importance of the right size
Selecting the correct size of body bag is crucial for the effective management of the deceased and their last effects. An appropriately sized body bag prevents the body from moving excessively or splitting open during transportation, thereby preserving the dignity of the deceased and avoiding safety hazards for staff and members of the public. A body bag that is too large may cause the body to shift, while a bag that is too small may not adequately cover the body.
Matching the body bag to the size and dimensions of the corpse ensures that the body is handled with due courtesy and respect, which is an essential consideration for surviving friends and family members. It is especially important that child patients or casualties are transported in the appropriately sized child body bag, to minimise undue distress to family and members of the public.
Weight considerations
The weight of the deceased is the primary factor in choosing a body bag. Different body bags have different weight-bearing ratings. For instance, our Slik Pak adult body bags typically start at the SL20, which has a body weight rating of up to 120kg. The SL42 has a weight rating of 140kg, and so on. Therefore, it's critical to choose a body bag that can comfortably accommodate the weight of the deceased, with room to spare – if in doubt, choose the size up from what you think you need.
Handling and recovery
Consideration should also be given to the handling and recovery of the deceased in emergency situations, or when a body needs to be retrieved from home or a public space. If the body needs to be lifted for transport – e.g. in an ambulance – a robust body bag with secure handles might be the best choice, both for ease of handling and to prevent the bag from ripping. The bag must be strong and durable enough to hold the corpse securely, while also facilitating easy transport without putting medical or coronary staff at risk of injury.
Safety precautions
Handling a deceased body comes with certain health risks. This includes exposure to aerosolised viruses like tuberculosis and Covid-19, blood-borne viruses like hepatitis and HIV, and gastrointestinal infections. Choosing a fluid-retentive body bag can help protect workers against these risks by preventing the leakage of bodily fluids.
Next steps
Slik Pak are one of the UK’s leading suppliers of body bags for hospitals, emergency services, and funerary management businesses. For help making the right choice of body bag to ensure that bodies are treated with the utmost respect and dignity, please call 0161 524 7619 today.
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